Cyclone Fani is unlikely to hit Tamil Nadu’s northern coast since a low-pressure system is likely to change while it moves towards the north-west direction from the south-east Bay of Bengal on April 30, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.

The IMD had on Saturday issued an alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry that the cyclone would hit the coastal areas on April 30 and trigger heavy rainfall during the subsequent days.

On Sunday, it said the mercury in Tamil Nadu may shoot up if the cyclone fails to hit Tamil Nadu and there is no heavy rainfall.

IMD’s regional director (Chennai) S Balachandran said a deep depression formed in the south-east Bay of Bengal has strengthened as the cyclone started moving in the north-west direction.

“The cyclone lies exactly about 1,050 kilometre south-east of Chennai. It is moving towards the north-west direction. But after travelling for 750 kilometre in the same direction, it is likely to change its pattern and will curve in the north-east direction towards Bangladesh or Myanmar,” said Balachandran.

He said the heavy rainfall predicted earlier in coastal Tamil Nadu was unlikely. “As the cyclone is to change its pattern, Tamil Nadu will not receive heavy or very heavy rainfall. ...moderate rainfall [is expected] between the coasts of Southern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu,” Balachandran said.

He asked fishermen to not venture into the south-east direction of Bay of Bengal. “The strong cyclone is likely to strengthen further. So, fishermen should not venture in fishing actives until May 2,” Balachandran added.

IMD’s director general of meteorology, M Mohapatra, said there is no chance of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu or South coastal Andhra Pradesh anymore because the cyclonic storm has moved north-west.

“Till the next five days it will be in the ocean. There is no reason for panic,” he said.